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Ned’s Circus of Marvels
(Ned’s Circus of Marvels #1)
by
From exciting debut author, Justin Fisher, comes this rip-roaring, page-turning new magical adventure. Perfect for fans of House of Secrets.
Ned Waddlesworth has always considered his world to be exceptionally ordinary. Until the day he discovers it ISN’T. AT ALL. Because on Ned’s thirteenth birthday he discovers that everything magical he’s ever read about or imagined is R ...more
Ned Waddlesworth has always considered his world to be exceptionally ordinary. Until the day he discovers it ISN’T. AT ALL. Because on Ned’s thirteenth birthday he discovers that everything magical he’s ever read about or imagined is R ...more
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
June 30th 2016
by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks
(first published February 25th 2016)
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H B
it does have a bearded lady, but not perhaps quite in the way you are thinking!
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Start your review of Ned’s Circus of Marvels (Ned’s Circus of Marvels, #1)

I would like to thank Netgally, HarperCollins UK and the author for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Full review.
I didn't like this book. Not because it was badly written, but just because it wasn't my cup of tea. I don't really know, if steampunk is the right word for it, but that is the one word that comes into my mind when I think of it.
Obviously I had misunderstood the summary of the book (or it just didn't hit the right mark), because what I thought to be ...more
Full review.
I didn't like this book. Not because it was badly written, but just because it wasn't my cup of tea. I don't really know, if steampunk is the right word for it, but that is the one word that comes into my mind when I think of it.
Obviously I had misunderstood the summary of the book (or it just didn't hit the right mark), because what I thought to be ...more

*DNF - stopped at page 354 (so close, but not quite there!)*
A gutsy, imaginative concept - but too frenetic and 'surface' for me.
Normally with a DNF I'd not leave a review or rating - however, I was fairly close to the end on this one, so thought I would. In short - I liked it, it was a fairly interesting read, but I don't think it was the book for me.
Ned is an average boy (startlingly, overwhelmingly average in fact), until he suddenly finds himself plunged into the Circus of Marvels, complete ...more
A gutsy, imaginative concept - but too frenetic and 'surface' for me.
Normally with a DNF I'd not leave a review or rating - however, I was fairly close to the end on this one, so thought I would. In short - I liked it, it was a fairly interesting read, but I don't think it was the book for me.
Ned is an average boy (startlingly, overwhelmingly average in fact), until he suddenly finds himself plunged into the Circus of Marvels, complete ...more

Three stars is generous, I think, but there were plenty of things I did actually enjoy about this book, so I'll be nice. If this book had anything, it was certainly imagination and potential, and it's the potential that's probably the most disappointing thing; this book could have been good if more care had been taken in editing.
The main issues were:
1. It was way too long. This book is over 400 pages, but it's repetitious and predictable at pretty much every twist and turn, and there's a lot tha ...more
The main issues were:
1. It was way too long. This book is over 400 pages, but it's repetitious and predictable at pretty much every twist and turn, and there's a lot tha ...more

I'm eleven and I was worried this would be too young for me but it wasnt. i liked it because it was different and clever and scary. it made me want to go behind the vail like ned does and see all of the legends that live there. I loved the airship and it was a good description as it made like you feel you were there flying in it. i laughed a lot when ned was hit in the face by kitty, i thought she was so funny. its an adventure book and one of my favourites i've read since house of secrets - cla
...more

This was nothing at all like I expected it to be, which makes rating it kinda hard. I liked it, but I'm not sure if I had picked it up if I'd known some things before. But let's start at the beginning^^
I found this book in the children's section in the library and on the back it says 'ages 9+'. Therefore I thought it was some magical children's fantasy book. Instead it turned out to be pretty action packed with a very evil and seemingly unstoppable villain. I liked the fast pace and the action, ...more
I found this book in the children's section in the library and on the back it says 'ages 9+'. Therefore I thought it was some magical children's fantasy book. Instead it turned out to be pretty action packed with a very evil and seemingly unstoppable villain. I liked the fast pace and the action, ...more

Mar 09, 2020
Kris - My Novelesque Life
marked it as dnf
DNF @17%
2017; HarperCollins Children's Publishing
I loved the cover but the book itself fell flat. I skimmed through as the writing style wasn't one that I liked.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.*** ...more
2017; HarperCollins Children's Publishing
I loved the cover but the book itself fell flat. I skimmed through as the writing style wasn't one that I liked.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.*** ...more

Ned believes himself to be an ordinary, boring boy leading an ordinary, boring life. This is all about to change. In his 13th birthday Ned discovers that his life is not all that it has seemed and is about to be plunged into the most amazing dangerous, exhilarating adventure of his life.
When I read children's literature I usually quickly forget the fact, becoming involved with story and characters just as much as with adult fiction. Sadly, it was not the case with Ned's Circus of Marvels. It is ...more
When I read children's literature I usually quickly forget the fact, becoming involved with story and characters just as much as with adult fiction. Sadly, it was not the case with Ned's Circus of Marvels. It is ...more

If you're looking for a rollercoaster of a read with non-stop action and adventure, then this is the book for you. It's amazing how jam packed this book is! I hope it's part of a series because I can't wait to see what happens to Ned next!
There seemed to be the perfect blend of magic, mayhem and mystery. A perfect middle grade read that has complex characters and fantastic description.
A book not to miss! ...more
There seemed to be the perfect blend of magic, mayhem and mystery. A perfect middle grade read that has complex characters and fantastic description.
A book not to miss! ...more

Ned’s Circus of Marvels honestly had lots of potential?? The premise sounded so cool. Unfortunately, it was filled with unnecessary conversations and subplots in an attempt to make it more interesting. I think I would have enjoyed the story without the extra bits which made the story drag (I could miss out 100 pages in the middle and still know what’s happening) and there was also a lack of important description in my opinion. Like there was description, but not at the right places? It's just...
...more

I just reviewed this book for Biblion, which of course is a practical review, objective and pointed towards the aimed audience. But I must agree with some of the reviews I have seen on here. This story is not without its flaws, it's lengthy, it doesn't give enough details and characters feel superficial at times. I would say: "perhaps I am too old and as I'm not the target audience I will give this a higher rating then I otherwise would. It is an amazing story for children." But seeing as many o
...more

I think it was the quote where Ned says "Great….I love the circus," he managed, with all the enthusiasm of a boy that still loves his father just a little bit more than the truth" which was the beginning of where I moved from liking this book, into LOVING this book.
It's the characters that make this into such an enchanting and enthralling world to escape into, and they do feel somehow...REAL. The imagination that some authors show just amazes me. Some of his descriptions are really very powerfu ...more
It's the characters that make this into such an enchanting and enthralling world to escape into, and they do feel somehow...REAL. The imagination that some authors show just amazes me. Some of his descriptions are really very powerfu ...more

If you want non-stop action and a well paced story, then this is the book to read. I was honestly amazed how much happened in just a small book. I believe this will be part of a series as it had a sneak peak for the next book.
You follow a young boy, Ned, who just turned 13 enter into a world of magical, crazy creatures that live in secrecy to the 'normal' human world. However, as soon as Ned turned 13, his boring old Dad wanted to bring him to the circus as a present but their path is blocked b ...more
You follow a young boy, Ned, who just turned 13 enter into a world of magical, crazy creatures that live in secrecy to the 'normal' human world. However, as soon as Ned turned 13, his boring old Dad wanted to bring him to the circus as a present but their path is blocked b ...more

Ned thinks his life is exceedingly boring and mundane thanks to his very overprotective father but on his 13th birthday everything changes - in the most magical way. He finds himself part of the troupe of the most gorgeous, intriguing circus , charged with finding a girl whom together with himself, will save the magical and mortal world. I loved this book! Ned's amazing engineer powers are just wonderful and I'm looking forward to meeting many of the other characters in later books - especially
...more

they say 'don't judge a book by it's cover'
but the beautiful cover, was actually the thing that got my eyes. I got it for my 16th birthday. The beginning was pretty creepy .. but nearing the middle, I'm addicted. I love the characters, the humour, and the vibes. The plot was quite predictable, but overall satisfying. I'm prepared to be amazed(again) by Ned and Bene's Circus of Marvels ...more
but the beautiful cover, was actually the thing that got my eyes. I got it for my 16th birthday. The beginning was pretty creepy .. but nearing the middle, I'm addicted. I love the characters, the humour, and the vibes. The plot was quite predictable, but overall satisfying. I'm prepared to be amazed(again) by Ned and Bene's Circus of Marvels ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

This book was good, I enjoyed it. It's about this boy and he goes to a flying circus or something and discovers he can like move and make things with his mind. kind of random.
...more

I give this about 2.5-3 stars.
First (without getting into spoilers) I'll illuminate what I liked about this book:
-The sense of adventure.
-The myriad different bits of folklore/mythology utilized.
-Certain parts were well-written and painted a vivid picture of surroundings, events, etc.
Things I didn't like:
-Everything felt very surface level; character personalities, interactions, motives, etc. It all felt very cut and dry, overly simplified, and for some, all over the place. The lack of consisten ...more
First (without getting into spoilers) I'll illuminate what I liked about this book:
-The sense of adventure.
-The myriad different bits of folklore/mythology utilized.
-Certain parts were well-written and painted a vivid picture of surroundings, events, etc.
Things I didn't like:
-Everything felt very surface level; character personalities, interactions, motives, etc. It all felt very cut and dry, overly simplified, and for some, all over the place. The lack of consisten ...more

Never judge a book by it's cover...When will I learn
I picked this up because I liked the cover and I liked what I read in the blurb
The story for me wasn't what I expected, I was trying to focus and get stuck in, until the "killer" clowns came along and then I lost interest.....which was I think maybe within the second chapter.
I didn't like Ned, I thought he was maybe too sure of himself as a 13 year old.
Also every other character had a nickname for Ned which got on my nerves "Old bean", "pup ...more
I picked this up because I liked the cover and I liked what I read in the blurb
The story for me wasn't what I expected, I was trying to focus and get stuck in, until the "killer" clowns came along and then I lost interest.....which was I think maybe within the second chapter.
I didn't like Ned, I thought he was maybe too sure of himself as a 13 year old.
Also every other character had a nickname for Ned which got on my nerves "Old bean", "pup ...more

Would I recommend? Yes, it is a children’s book but a good quick read. .
Things I liked:
I love the characters Kitty, an old lady who constantly wears hello kitty merchandise, and George, a talking gorilla.
A clever thing about this book is that I had no idea where the story was going.
Just elephant with wings, enough said! .
Things I didn’t like:
There were times where I lost track of who Ned was talking to and what was going on but I quickly caught up. .
Overall: I’ve had this book on my shelf for ...more
Things I liked:
I love the characters Kitty, an old lady who constantly wears hello kitty merchandise, and George, a talking gorilla.
A clever thing about this book is that I had no idea where the story was going.
Just elephant with wings, enough said! .
Things I didn’t like:
There were times where I lost track of who Ned was talking to and what was going on but I quickly caught up. .
Overall: I’ve had this book on my shelf for ...more

You can not judge a book by its cover was probably said for this book. The element of surprise is scarce, if any at all. Also, it almost feels like an encyclopedia (first draft) of supernatural creatures. I have to say that the (somewhat) detailed narrative helps you with visualization.
All in all, it would have been a good read if I was in the age group (pre-teens/early teens) when we Pakistani kids enjoyed watching "Ainak wala Jinn (Jinn with Spectacles)". That show was also good at prolonging ...more
All in all, it would have been a good read if I was in the age group (pre-teens/early teens) when we Pakistani kids enjoyed watching "Ainak wala Jinn (Jinn with Spectacles)". That show was also good at prolonging ...more

When Ned and his father are attacked by evil clowns, he ends up on his own in a circus full of oddball creatures hiding as human and animal performers, where he must find a hidden girl across the globe and keep the Veil from tearing and unleashing demons on the Earth! Fisher delivers a magical and exciting adventure that won't let you down with its enjoyable cast and quick pace. Can Ned overcome his fears to gain the power needed to save the world in time?
...more

Read this book to my 8 year old son. It is a fantastic idea for a story but sadly not executed as well as it could have been. The writing was all over the place, descriptors were rather lacking and it read quite flat. There were also jumps in the narrative and some continuation errors.
For what could have been a very exciting story it was a shame that it wasn’t better. Felt like a missed opportunity.
For what could have been a very exciting story it was a shame that it wasn’t better. Felt like a missed opportunity.

This book certainly was marvelous. I guessed from the beginning who the spy was and cried whenever someone died especially a particular to people (I won't give away whom. Spoilers!) Fisher's world building is incredible and the characters and places really bring out the magic in the book. Overall I really liked this book and can't read to read the next one.
...more

The book itself has a quite interesting story and setting. I mean, who's not gonna love a circus of marvelous people?
Too bad it seems I picked this up too late at my age, that some magic doesnt felt that magical at all. ...more
Too bad it seems I picked this up too late at my age, that some magic doesnt felt that magical at all. ...more
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